Speaker ‘will break tie for conscience’

Press, 25 November 1982, Page 6

Speaker ‘will break tie for conscience’

PA Wellington Parliament was told last evening by the Speaker, Sir Richard Harrison, that on a conscience vote he would be prepared to change the law in breaking a tie. But on a tied vote in a confidence issue' he would vote with the Government, Sir Richard said. Delivering a prepared statement when the House tied, 37-37, on . the second reading of a bill, Sir Richard took the opportunity to say he would be quite justified in voting against the status quo (to change the law), if his conscience strongly urged him.

“Although he (the Speaker) would be expressing a viewpoint on the issue by voting, and would be entering into a public controversy, it would not be one involving the political parties,” he said.

Sir Richard came down on’.. I the side of the Government ; last evening in line with' his ; principle of always voting >j for further discussion? . $ During his ruling he took the opportunity to'give an ■ : extensive summary, of '.his views “to make it clear how ? ; I could be expected to vote .|

in the event of there being an equality of votes between the -members ’on any motion.” The bill before the House was the Local Authorities Loans Amendment Bill, a measure introduced by the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon. Sir Richard said that had it been at its third reading stage he would have voted against it, unless the Government decided to make the vote an issue of confidence. On .express motions of confidence, and on matters of supply, because they inherently, involved confidence, he should vote with the Government, Sir Richard said. “It should not be his (the

Speaker’s) vote, the vote of a person essentially neutral in the House, that should precipitate the resignation of a Government or the dissolution of Parliament.” Sir Richard said he would vote in favour of a bill’s

being introduced, referred to a select committee, and read a- Second time. At the third reading of bills involving l , a "matter of conscience,, he would vote as his conscience led him ih each case. “On the third reading of appropriation and supply bills, and on other motions of

confidence which affect the tenure of office of the Government or Parliament, I would vote to sustain the Government.”

Sir Richard said his guiding principles are: • That the Speaker should always vote for further discussion where this is possible. • That where no further discussion is possible, decisions shbuld hot be taken, except by a majority. The law should be changed by the deliberative votes-of the members, not by the casting vote of the Speaker, who, in the chair, is not partypolitical but impartial.

• That a casting vote on an amendment to a bill

should leave the bill in its

existing form. • On questions of con- ■ science the Speaker should be entitled to use his casting vote either in accordance with his com science or in accordance

with the general rule of

maintaining the status '■ quo. • On express questions of confidence and oh supply, the Speaker should . use his casting vote with the Government.